Last night, my timeline was flooded with heated responses to a viral thread. The original post came from a man who proudly declared himself mapan—or financially established—because he earns Rp15 million per month. He went on to express disappointment with women who, according to him, expect too much from men financially, even though, in his words, “they’re not that special either.”
Not surprisingly, the thread sparked chaos. While a few replies showed support, most of the responses—especially from women—were critical. Some outright laughed at his claim of being mapan. Others said Rp15 million per month wouldn’t even cover their lifestyle. And just like that, a full-blown social commentary unraveled across the internet.
The original post? Gone now. Deleted. But the debate it stirred is still lingering.
And as I quietly watched the conversation unfold, I couldn’t help but wonder—not about who’s right or wrong, but about the core of the issue:
What do we really mean when we say someone is mapan?
We often throw the word mapan around casually, especially when talking about love, marriage, and adult responsibilities. But here’s the thing—mapan doesn’t mean wealthy. Not even close.
In English, mapan is better translated as “established” or “well-settled.” It implies a sense of stability, of being ready for the next chapter in life, like marriage or buying a house. But it’s still far from the financial freedom that wealth provides. People who are wealthy—kaya raya—can enjoy luxury without stressing over how much is left in their bank account. They don’t just survive or plan—they indulge.
Then, there’s sejahtera.
Ah, sejahtera is a beautiful word. It speaks of a life that is calm, balanced, and fulfilled. It’s not necessarily about having a high income or luxurious lifestyle. You can be sejahtera even with modest means—if your heart feels enough, if your home is peaceful, and if you’re not constantly chasing or comparing.
Interestingly, someone who’s mapan can feel sejahtera. But someone who is kaya raya—financially rich—may not feel sejahtera at all.
So, back to the question: How much should someone earn to be called mapan in Jakarta?
There’s no one-size-fits-all number. But here’s a useful rule of thumb I’ve found helpful: if your income is at least twice your monthly expenses, you’re likely financially established.
Let’s say your monthly needs—including rent, food, transport, and some leisure—cost you Rp7.5 million. If you earn Rp15 million, you’re probably doing okay. You can live, save a little, and not panic at the end of the month. But if your lifestyle requires Rp12 million just to function, then Rp15 million won’t feel very stable—it’ll feel tight.
That’s why this whole debate on Twitter felt misaligned. Everyone was using different standards. People who are content living in a simple kost for Rp500k a month will naturally feel differently from those who need a two-bedroom apartment and weekend brunches just to feel normal. Their “baseline” is not the same.
And what about sejahtera?
It’s harder to measure, because it lives in the heart. Sejahtera means feeling safe. Feeling enough. Feeling like your life is in harmony, even if you’re not rich. Some people earning Rp6 million a month already feel sejahtera, because their needs are few and their hearts are full. Others might earn Rp60 million and still feel restless.
So maybe the more meaningful question is not “How much should I earn to be mapan?”
Maybe it’s this:
What kind of life do I want to live, and how much do I really need to live it in peace?
That’s where mapan begins.
And who knows? That’s probably where sejahtera lives too.
